to kill a mockingbird: part one study guide - · pdf file · 2008-04-30write down...
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Name: ____________________ Hour: _____ _____ / 15
Harper Lee Photo by Terrence Antonio James, copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune
To Kill a Mockingbird: Part One Study Guide
Required 15 point assignment
Fill this out as you read. Some questions will be answered in class. Do this on your own, as a way to prepare for the tests. The guide is not necessarily comprehensive. You are responsible for closely reading the entire book. Use lined portions of this guide for your own notes. I will randomly check your study guide for completion before the test. Don’t forget to define the vocabulary words. Yes, they will be on the test. You will turn this in right before the test.
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Introduction Notes (Required!) Write down what you learned about Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird. _____________________________________________________________________
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Write down everything you know about America during the Great Depression.
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Chapter 1
Vocabulary: (You may have more vocabulary on another handout.)
Assuaged Apothecary Nocturnal
1. Who’s the narrator? What’s she like? What’s the vantage point from which the
story is told (first, second or third person)?
2. Describe each character, introduced in Ch. 1. 3. Describe the setting (time and place)? 4. What social position does the Finch family occupy in town? 5. What happened to Scout’s mother? 6. Arthur “Boo” Radley presents a major conflict in the story. Describe his past.
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7. How do the children perceive Boo? What are some of their superstitions? 8. How does Atticus treat his children? 9. How is Dill unusual? Why does Jem accept Dill anyway? 10. How old is each one of the children at the beginning of the rising action of the
novel?
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Chapter 2
Vocabulary: Indigenous
1. In Chapter two Scout learns about the world outside her home. This results in conflicts between the characters listed below. Explain. Scout and Jem:
Conflicts between Scout and her teacher:
a)
b)
c)
2. What is Jem’s definition of the Dewey Decimal System? What is it really?
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3. How had Scout learned to read or write?
4. Does the new teacher understand the children of this town and their problems? Explain.
5. What does Scout’s championship (trying to stick up for him) of Walter Cunningham show about her?
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Chapter 3
1. Why was Scout beating up on Walter?
2. What does Jem do about the situation?
3. Why does it take Walter so long to make up his mind?
4. What does her treatment of him at lunch show about her?
5. What lesson does Calpurnia teach Scout through Walter Cunningham?
6. Describe Burris Ewell.
7. Atticus makes a suggestion to Scout as to how to get along better with others. What is this method? Copy the quote in your study guide. It becomes important later.
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8. Why does Atticus believe that forcing people like the Ewells into a new environment is a waste of time? (Why the Ewell boy isn’t forced to go to school after the first day)
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Chapter 4
Vocabulary: Auspicious
Cowardice
1. Jem, Scout, and Dill are very superstitious. What is their belief about hot steams? Indian head pennies?
In the ‘30’s, the setting of this book, the term “nigger” was used. It is no longer used because it has negative connotations (these are feelings or attitudes associated with a word).
2. In this chapter Scout has three indications that Boo is observing them. Name them.
a)
b)
c)
3. What kind of relationship do Jem and Scout have with each other? Support your
answer with specific examples.
4. What does Dill tell the Finches about his coming to Maycomb?
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Chapter 5
Vocabulary: Inquisitive
Edification
Cordially
1. New character: Maudie Atkinson. Describe her. Why do the children like her so much?
2. When Miss Maudie says, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the
public streets,” why is this significant? To whom is she contrasting him? 3. In this chapter the relationship between Jem, Scout, and Dill changes. How?
Speculate why this happens. 4. Why does Atticus tell the children to leave Boo alone? What does he think
about the “Boo Radley” game? _____________________________________________________________________
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Chapter 6 1. New character: Mr. Avery. Describe him. What performance impresses the
children? 2. What is the new plan to contact Boo? 3. Why did they choose that particular night? 4. How does Jem lose his pants? 5. Why doesn’t Scout want him to retrieve them? 6. Why does Jem feel he must?
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7. Who does Nathan Radley assume he has shot? (This is a sign of the times in the South. Blacks were considered to be inferior and were often blamed without evidence. This also foreshadows what is to happen later in the book.)
8. (On approx. page 56) Jem tells some of how he feels about Atticus. Explain. How
do Jem and Atticus feel about the Radley incident? 9. Why is Miss Rachel upset about Dill’s explanation? What does Atticus tell the kids?
What does Atticus say to Miss Rachel? _____________________________________________________________________
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Chapter 7 1. When does this chapter take place? How old are Jem and Scout?
Note: Scout follows Atticus’ advice (on approx. page 57).
2. Six contacts with Boo are made. List them.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
3. What were Jem and Scout planning to put in the knothole?
4. Why has Jem been crying? 5. Why does Mr. Nathan cement the hole in the tree? _____________________________________________________________________
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Chapter 8 Vocabulary: Caricature
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Perpetrate 1. What happens to Mrs. Maudie’s house? How does she react? What does this tell
you about Miss Maudie? 2. What is the purpose of all the action in this chapter? That is, why did Lee create the
building of the snowman & the fire? 3. Boo’s personality takes on a caring aspect during the fire. Explain how this
happens. _____________________________________________________________________
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Chapter 9 Vocabulary: lineaments
Guilelessness
Donned
Obstreperous
1. Describe the new characters.
Tom Robinson
Francis Hancock
Uncle Jack
2. Why must Scout accept the name of “Coward”?
3. How do the children feel about their relatives?
4. How does Aunt Alexandra feel about the way Scout and Jem are being brought up?
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5. What truth do we learn about Dill in this chapter?
6. Why does Atticus defend Tom Robinson?
7. How do Uncle Jack and Atticus differ with respect to the children?
8. What is Maycomb’s usual disease?
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Chapter 10 1. New character: Heck Tate. Describe him.
2. What kind of woman is Calpurnia?
3. Define “rite of passage.”
4. On approx. p. 89 Scout sounds dissatisfied with Atticus. What does she feel is wrong with him?
5. How does Atticus prove himself? How does he become a hero? 6. How does Jem feel about his father after the incident? 7. What reason does Miss Maudie offer for Atticus’ present indifference toward guns? 8. What does Atticus say about mockingbirds? Copy this quote down here. It
is important.
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Chapter 11 Vocabulary: Tranquil
Segregation
Apoplectic
Umbrage
Rectitude
Reconnaissance
Devoid
Caste system
1. What kind of woman is Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose? 2. What makes Jem so angry that he beats down Mrs. Dubose’s camellias? 3. What is Jem’s punishment? 4. How do the reading sessions finally end? 5. What does Atticus say about the term nigger lover? 6. What does Atticus tell Jem after Mrs. Dubose’s death? 7. Was she a great lady? Explain.
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8. As in so many other cases Atticus takes advantage of this experience to do what? 9. On p. 112 Atticus defines courage. Write this definition. 10. What are some important themes in Part One? What is Lee trying to show us about
the South in the ‘30s, human nature, or life in general?
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